General Synonyms:
* Expected
* Foreseen
* Predicted
* Looked forward to
* Premeditated
* Expected
* Waited for
* Believed likely
Synonyms Emphasizing Positive Expectation:
* Eagerly awaited
* Looked forward to with pleasure
* Welcomed
* Excited about
Synonyms Emphasizing Negative Expectation:
* Dreaded
* Feared
* Apprehended
Synonyms Emphasizing Preparation:
* Prepared for
* Ready for
* Arranged for
Synonyms Emphasizing Action:
* Took steps to prevent
* Took precautions against
Examples:
* General: The weather forecast anticipated rain. (Expected)
* Positive: The children anticipated their Christmas presents. (Looked forward to with pleasure)
* Negative: He anticipated a difficult meeting. (Dreaded)
* Preparation: The company anticipated a surge in demand. (Prepared for)
* Action: The police anticipated a riot by deploying extra officers. (Took precautions against)
The best synonym will depend on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.